Author Archives: smellincoffee

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About smellincoffee

Citizen, librarian, reader with a boundless wonder for the world and a curiosity about all the beings inside it.

To End All Wars

Posted on January 14, 2011 by smellincoffee

To End All Wars: A Story of Loyalty and Rebellion, 1914-1918© 2011 Adam Hochschild480 pages Disclaimer:   I read from an advanced review copy of the book, available through NetGalleys. No compensation for a review, good or negative, was offered … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Go Go Gadget Literature….?

Posted on January 13, 2011 by smellincoffee

When I step into this library, I cannot understand why I ever step out of it. – Marie de Sevigne Change is inescapable. As a student of history, I’ve realized that nothing, no matter how wonderful or precious, endures forever. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflection | Tagged | 8 Comments

This Week at the Library (5 Jan – 12 January)

Posted on January 12, 2011 by smellincoffee

Slow week at the library this week, in part because I’m just starting to get over a rather miserable cold and in part because the books I checked out at the library weren’t what I was expecting. I went to … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged | 2 Comments

Teaser Tuesday (11 January)

Posted on January 11, 2011 by smellincoffee

It’s teasin’ Tuesday again, but this week I’m going to do something different. “What, cheat? You always do that.” No, no.  Well, yes — but not as much, and for a far nobler purpose than my own amusement. I’m going … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged | 23 Comments

Top Tenish Booking Resolutions

Posted on January 10, 2011 by smellincoffee

We’re only in the second week of the New Year, so it’s not too late to make resolutions: the Broke and the Bookish is calling for biblio-blogging-related resolutions this wear. I’m not actually much for resolutions, but the yearly changeover … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged | 8 Comments

The Evolution of God

Posted on January 9, 2011 by smellincoffee

The Evolution of God© 2009 Robert Wright576 pages Evolutionary psychologist Robert Wright uses the concepts of natural morality and the ‘moral imagination’ to  understand the growth and (arguably) increasing maturity of the three Abrahamic religions — Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Reunion

Posted on January 7, 2011 by smellincoffee

Star Trek TNG: Reunion© 1991 Michael Jan Friedman343 pagesOn the cover:  Unknown models as Idun Asmund, Picard’s former human-raised-by-Klingons helm officer and Captain Morgen, who looks rather scary.  There’s also a little quirk on the cover: the Stargazer is depicted … Continue reading →

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In a Sunburned Country

Posted on January 6, 2011 by smellincoffee

In a Sunburned Country© 2001 Bill Bryson352 pages Bill Bryson takes on the largest island in the world in In a Sunburned Country,  traveling its coasts and dashing into the heart of the outback to gaze upon some of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

This Week at the Library (29 December – 5 January)

Posted on January 5, 2011 by smellincoffee

I shifted to doing individual comments back in October 2008, but I still haven’t figured out what to do with this weekly wrap-up.  I tend to share interesting quotations on Teaser Tuesday where a larger audience (I assume) will enjoy … Continue reading →

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The Best of 2010: Annual Year in Review

Posted on January 4, 2011 by smellincoffee

Fifty-two ‘weeks at the library’ have come and gone once more, and like every year I’m taking some time to look back at the year’s reading and reflect, mentioning those books whose memory has not faded with time. My return … Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged , | 6 Comments